North Sumatra

The province of North Sumatra stretches across the island of Sumatra between the Indian Ocean and the Strait Malacca. It borders Aceh province on the northwest and Riau and West Sumatra provinces on the southeast. It has an area of 70787 km². The province contains a broad, low plain along the Strait of Malacca coast; the provincial capital, Medan, is located here. In the south and west, the land rises to the mountain range that runs the length of Sumatra; the mountains here are dominated by Lake Toba, formed from the caldera of an ancient volcano. Several large islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sumatra are part of North Sumatra, most notably Nias, Tanah Bala, Tanah Masa, and Pini.

In contrast to the small island of Bali, the province of North Sumatera is large with one of the biggest lakes in the world, Lake Toba, at its navel. The continuous mountain of Bukit Barisan, which extends from Aceh at the tip of the island of Sumatera to Lampung at the bottom of the island, guards the province on the west side, providing home for thick, tropical jungles and lush vegetations. As you go down the western mountains towards the beaches of the east, mountain streams, strong rivers, and gorgeous waterfalls will accompany you.

Relative to Bali, North Sumatera has very heterogenous ethnic groups, and thus, cultures. The people of the eastern coasts, also known as the Malays (Melayu) have markedly different traditions and culture from the Batak highlanders who live around Lake Toba and Samosir Island. Further south, the Mandailings and Angkolas, and the Island of Nias, have yet more flavors of traditions and culture.

There are many places to see in this cultural salad bowl:

Medan
The capital of the province of North Sumatera, Medan houses the government offices and business centers, effectively making it the largest city outside of the island of Java. Medan owes its cultural heritage to the kingdom of Deli, whose place of worship, Mesjid Agung (Grand Mosque), and palace, Istana Maimun (The Maimun Palace) undoubtedly show its past greatness.

Lake Toba
Lake Toba, the crater lake in the middle of the province, is a popular tourist resort, especially the town of Parapat on its shore. Its cool and dry mountain climate makes it the perfect place to relax.

The Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun people live around Parapat. The Batak people, composed of Batak Toba, Simalungun, Pak-Pak, and Karo, are known for their expression, which is often materialized in lively and sentimental love songs. If every person in Bali can carve, every person in Batak can sing or play the guitar.

The Karo highland
As you drive south from Medan into the Karo highland, the Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park greets you with its distinctive Karonese gazebo decorated with ret-ret, a two-headed, lizard-like animal that is carved on the walls of traditional Karonese family houses. Along the windy, mountainous road to the Karo highland, as you pass the Sibolangit National Garden, chants of monkeys and possibly orang-utans will accompany you, mysteriously appearing and disappearing from the thick jungle.

The town of Berastagi, located at the foot of Mount Sibayak, will greet you with its lovely flowers. The smell of fresh vegetables and the colorful and aromatic arrangements of fruit will etch their place in your memory. Try markisah (Passion Fruit)...

Sipiso-piso Waterfall and Tongging
Further south from Berastagi and Kabanjahe, the Karonese portion of Lake Toba is marked with a thin yet tall waterfall.

Nias
Island Off to the west of the island of Sumatera, the island of Nias provides another item in your cultural plate with its distinct culture. The water surrounding the island is a great place to surf and to scubadive.

South Sumatra

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One of the greatest kingdoms in Indonesian history, the Buddhist Empire of Sriwijaya, prospered along the banks of Musi River in South Sumatra over a thousand years ago. Located on the southern-most rim of the South China Sea, close to the one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the Region’s historical background is rich and colourful.

The Sriwijaya kingdom practised a bustling and incrative trade with ancient China during its era of powerful dynasties. In 672 the Chinese scholar, I Tsing, recorded that a thousand monks and scholars could be seen translating and studying Sanskrit in Palembang. Few relics of this memorable are remain. Stretching from the foothills of the mighty Bukit Barisan mountain range, this province is relatively flat but very fertile, with numerous rivers cutting across the landscape and meandering their way to the sea. Coffee and tea plantations are scattered across the province, but area’s enormous wealth comes from oil, natural gas, coal, tin and quartz reserves.

The capital of South Sumatra province is Palembang.

This province is divided into 10 regencies:

Banyuasin (Pangkalan Balai)
Lahat (Lahat)
Muara Enim Regency (Muara Enim)
Musi Banyuasin (Sekayu)
Musi Rawas (Muara Beliti Baru)
Ogan Ilir (Indralaya)
Ogan Komering Ilir (Kayuagung)
Ogan Komering Ulu (Baturaja)
East Ogan Komering Ulu (Martapura)
South Ogan Komering Ulu (Muaradua)

and 4 cities:

Lubuklinggau
Pagar Alam
Palembang
Prabumulih

PLACES OF INTEREST

The Musi River

By Javanese standards the Musi river is both very broad as well as long, comparable to those found on the big island of Kalimantan, formerly Borneo. The river flows right through the city, cutting it in two halves called the Ulu bank and the Ilir bank and linked by a bridge of considerable size and length, called the Ampera Bridge. If visitors do not care to make an interesting or unique boat trip down the river, they could still take a walk halfway over the bridge to see the vast panorama surrounding them, rare at any other place in Indonesia. Down below they will see unbelievable traffic of boats, big and small, crisscrossing water lines without accidents as if steered by the most able navigators.

From the same spot both halves of the city are clearly visible as well. And if the time is right, sunrises and sunsets as witnessed from the bridge would be an unforgettable sight of beauty. Worthwhile noticing are the floating restaurants and shops on both sides of the river, and other curious scenes of daily habits of the city's inhabitants.

An annual event is the Bidar Race, held on or around Independence Day, each 17th of August. Measurements of the competing boats are 24 1/2 m long and only 0.75 m wide, each boat carrying as many as 50 oarsmen.

The traditional house ' Limas'

Another interesting item to see is the Limas house which are still found scattered over the province, most of them built on riversides, however, not facing the waterfront. One explanation could be that daily household activities can be done in full privacy, out of sight of passers-by. These very ornate wooden houses built on stilts have rather sizable measurements: from 15 to 20 m in width and from 30 to 60 m in length. A good part of the house has hand-carved columns, door and window frames and cross ventilation between the rooms by placing wooden panels with flow-through carvings just below the ceilings. Indeed, it would almost be a must to observe the architecture and style of these Limas houses, some of them open to the public.

The State Museum

Relatively new the building was erected in 1977 only, however, its collection of around 2000 relics and antiquities originating from the province itself would make a visit here definitely worthwhile. See ancient household articles, utensils, looms, hunting tools, a bridal room and some preserved animals of the region.

Ki Kede Ing Suro ancient cemetery

This cemetery dates back from the 16th century where as many as 38 ancient tombs are found of which one of them belongs to Ki Gede Ing Suro, one of the prominent forefathers of South Sumatera's present society. Notably, these 38 tombs are found under one roof of one building.

Bangka Island's Matras Beach

Bangka can best be reached by air from Jakarta by scheduled flight in just about an hour by jet. However, boat service from Palembang to either Muntok or Pangkal Pinang is adequate and should not take more than an overnight voyage. This island lies right at the mouth of the Musi River in the South China Sea and is one of world's major producers of tin.

A beach of exceptional measurements, 300 - 400 m wide and 6 1/2 km long, called Matras Beach is located 44 km north of Pangkal Pinang, the island's capital. Fine, white and clean sands make this beach area most attractive to sun and beach lovers, whereas at this time the Parai Beach Hotel with 35 rooms already exists right on the beach.

On the other side of the island at Muntok you can find the Ranggam House built in 1921 on the hill overlooking the sea.

It is like a big lodging house where at one time the first Indonesian president was held captive along with some of his close followers during the nation's physical revolution.

The President's car at the time has still been kept in tact and can be seen by the public at the House's opening hours.

Closer to the capital is the Pasir Padi Beach, just 7 km from Pangkal Pinang and is merely a place to rest or swim and sunbathe.

There is no accommodation as tourists normally come to this beach from the city and villages around this place, 4 km long and about 20 to 60 m wide with endless coconut trees to give it a genuine tropical setting.

Belitung Island

Adjacent to Bangka island is Belitung island, another tin producer, with its capital city called Tanjung Pandan. If you are interested in visiting both islands, the best way to do it is to leave by air from Jakarta to either island first, and then cross over to the other one by boat and onward to Palembang to visit the rest of South Sumatera.

To save time, energy and money, it would not be recommended to make a special side trip to either Bangka or Belitung out of Palembang, but rather these three destinations should best be covered in a single line of direction.

The Belitung Tourism Development Corporation is at present in the midst of a huge tourism project at Tanjung Kelayang Beach, half an hour from the capital by car. A complete beach resort hotel with all modern facilities should be finished by 1992 and promises to become a great success for the area because of its proximity to Singapore, Sumatera and Java.

Punti Kayu ' Natural Pine forrest'

This recently built recreational complex covers an area of 50 hectares, consisting of four parts: an amusement park, a recreation park, an natural forest, and a man-made lake.

In this complex are to be found a children's playground, a cultural park, a souvenirs shop, restaurants and an information booth. Because of its proximity to the capital and easy accessibility, this complex actually caters mainly to the local inhabitants of the city of Palembang, however, international tourists may enjoy passing a calm day here to watch urbanites amuse themselves.

Tenang waterfall

Rich in the number of small as well as big rivers flowing through this province, waterfalls of various sizes come with them too. The biggest in the region is the Tenang waterfall where the water smashes down from a height of 90 meters into a deep pool and further downstream in a strong current. By public transportation it takes 2 hours from Palembang, however, less by private car. Located in the Muara Enim regency.

Kamero Island

Forty kilometers from Palembang, Kamero Island is a popular recreation site in the middle of the Musi river. the island has a Buddhist temple.

South Sumatra is famous for Songket wearing which are made of silk thread combined with gold thread. Palembang also famous for its wood carving motifs which are influenced by the chinese and Buddhist. The carving are dominated by decorations in the form of jasmine flower and lotus that can be seen in the furnitures and lacquers. Palembang’s famous fruits are pineaple and duku (Lansium domisticum).

South Sumatra (Indonesian: Sumatera Selatan) is a province of Indonesia. It is on the island of Sumatra, and borders the provinces of Lampung to the south, Bengkulu to the west, and Jambi to the north. Off the east coast are the islands of Bangka and Belitung, which were split from South Sumatra province to form the new province of Bangka-Belitung in 2000.

West Sumatra (Sumatera Barat)

West Sumatra (Indonesian: Sumatera Barat, abbreviated to Sumbar) is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra, and borders the provinces of North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara) to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast. The capital of the province is Padang.

The history of West Sumatra is closely related to the history of the Minangkabau people. Archaeological evidence indicates that the area surrounding the Limapuluh Koto regency forms the first area inhabited by the Minangkabau. This interpretation seems to be justified as the area of the Limapuluh Koto regency covers a number of large rivers which meet at the eastern part of the Sumatran coastline. The rivers were known have provided important sailing transportation from the previous era to the end of the last century. The Minangkabau ancestors were believed to have arrived on this route. They sailed from Asia (Indo-China) via the South China Sea, crossing the Malacca Strait and later settled along the Kampar, Siak and Indragiri (or Kuantan) rivers. A portion of them lived and developed their culture and traits around the Limapuluh Koto regency.

The integration with migrants in the ensuing periods introduced cultural changes and an increase in population. Their settlement area gradually became diminished and eventually they spread to other parts of West Sumatra. A portion of them went to the Agam regency while others went to the now Tanah Datar regency. From those areas onward, further spread of the population occurred north of the Agam regency, in particular, the Lubuk Sikaping. Rao and Ophir districts. Most of them settled in the western area such as the coastline and some in the southern parts in Solok, Selayo and the surrounding areas of Muara and Sijunjung.

The history of the West Sumatra Province became more accessible at the time of the rule by Adityawarman. This ruler left considerable amount of evidence of himself, although he did not proclaim that he was the Minangkabau King. Adityawarman ruled Pagaruyung, a region believed by the Minangkabau to be the center of its culture. Adityawarman was the most important figure in Minangkabau history. Apart from introducing a government system by a ruling monarch, he also contributed significantly to the Minangkabau world. His most important contribution was the spread of Buddhism. This religion had a very strong influence in the Minangkabau life. The evidence of such influence found in West Sumatra today includes names such as Saruaso, Pariangan, Padang Barhalo, Candi, Biaro, Sumpur and Selo.

Since the death of Adityawarman in the middle of the 17th century the history of West Sumatra seems more complex. During that time, the connection of West Sumatra with the outside world, in particular, Aceh, became more intense. West Sumatra at that time was the political dominion of Aceh which also monopolized the economy of the area. Coupled with the intensive connection Islam entered into West Sumatra. The new faith eventually became fundamental to the social and cultural way of life in the region. Sheik Burhanuddin was regarded as the first preacher of Islam in West Sumatra. Prior to expanding the faith in the region, he was studying in Aceh.

The dominating influence of Aceh’s politics and economy did not make the people of West Sumatra happy. Ultimately, the growing dissatisfaction gave way to the acceptance of the Dutch although the presence of them also opened up a new chapter in the history of West Sumatra. The arrival of the Dutch in the region caused them to enter the era of colonialism in the very of essence of its meaning.

The first westerner to reach West Sumatra was the French explorer Jean Parmentier in 1529. However, the westerners who came for economic and political reasons were the Dutch. The Dutch commercial fleet was seen along the southern coast of West Sumatra between 1595 – 1598. Apart from the Dutch, other European nationalities also came to the region such as the Portuguese and the English.

West Sumatra lies in the middle of the western coast of Sumatra, and has an area of 42,297.30 km². Geographic features include plains, mountainous volcanic highlands formed by the Barisan mountain range that runs from north-west to south-east, and an offshore island archipelago called the Mentawai Islands. The West Sumatran coastline faces the Indian Ocean and stretches 375 km from North Sumatra province in the north-west to Bengkulu in the south-east. The lakes of West Sumatra include: Maninjau (99.5 km²), Singkarak (130.1 km²), Diatas (31.5 km²), Dibawah (14.0 km²), Talang (5.0 km²). The rivers of West Sumatra include: Kuranji, Anai, Ombilin, Suliki, Agam, Sinamar, Arau. The mountains & volcanoes of West Sumatra include: Marapi (2,891 m), Sago (2,271 m), Singgalang (2,877 m), Talakmau (2,912 m), Talang (2,572 m), Tandikat (2,438 m).

West Sumatra consists of the following cities:

Bukittinggi
Padang
Padang Panjang
Pariaman
Payakumbuh
Sawahlunto
Solok

While the regencies are:

Agam - capital: Lubuk Basung
Dharmasraya - capital: Pulau Punjung
Mentawai Islands (Kepulauan Mentawai) - capital: Tua Pejat
Limapuluh Koto - capital: Payakumbuh
Padang Pariaman - capital: Pariaman
Pasaman - capital: Lubuk Sikaping
West Pasaman (Pasaman Barat) - capital: Simpang Empat
South Pesisir (Pesisir Selatan) - capital: Painan
Sawahlunto Sijunjung - capital: Muaro Sijunjung
Solok - capital: Solok
South Solok (Solok Selatan) - capital: Padang Aro
Tanah Datar - capital: Batusangkar

Riau

Riau is a province of Indonesia, located in the center of Sumatra island along the Strait of Malacca. The provincial capital and largest city is Pekanbaru.
This province is divided into 4 regencies:

Karimun
Bintan
Lingga
Natuna
Anambas Islands

2 cities:
Batam
Tanjung Pinang

Indonesian was based on the Riau version of Malay language.

Riau is one of the richest provinces in Indonesia. This province is rich with natural resources, particularly petroleum and natural gas, rubber, and palm oil.

The province was once heavily forested lowlands, but with palm oil plantations and logging being major industries it is losing around 2,000 square km of forest per year. In 2005 the forest cover was down to 33% (or 27.000 square km) from 78% (or 64.000 square km) in 1982.[2] Being a province with a predominantly low relief, the coastal regions are rapidly losing land to the ocean.

The Riau Islands were part of Riau until 2004, when they were made into a separate province.

The dialect of Indonesian spoken in this region is said by many linguists to be one of the simplest languages in the world, possessing neither noun declensions, nor temporal distinctions, nor subject/object distinctions, nor singular/plural distinction, nor word order of any kind.

From Srivijayan times until the 16th century, Riau was a natural part of greater Malay kingdoms or sultanates, in the heart of what is often called the Malay World, which stretches from eastern Sumatra to Borneo. The Malay-related Orang Laut tribes inhabited the islands and formed the backbone of most Malay kingdoms from Srivijaya to the Sultanate of Johor for the control of trade routes going through the straits.

After the fall of Melaka in 1511, the Riau islands became the center of political power of the mighty Sultanate of Johor or Johor-Riau, based on Bintan island, and were for long considered the center of Malay culture.

But history changed the fate of Riau as a political, cultural or economic center when European powers struggled to control the regional trade routes and took advantage of political weaknesses within the sultanate. Singapore island, that had been for centuries part of the same greater Malay kingdoms and sultanates, and under direct control of the Sultan of Johor, came under control of the British.

The creation of a European-controlled territory in the heart of the Johor-Riau natural boundaries broke the sultanate into two parts, destroying the cultural and political unity that had existed for centuries. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 consolidated this separation, with the British controlling all territories north of the Singapore strait and the Dutch controlling territories from Riau to Java.

After the European powers withdrew from the region, the new independent governments had to reorganize and find balance after inheriting 100 years of colonial boundaries. Before finding their current status, the territories of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Borneo struggled and even came into military conflict against each other, and the Riau islands once again found themselves in the middle of a regional struggle.

The strong cultural unity of the region with Riau in the heart of this region never returned, and the line drawn by the British in 1819 remained, dividing the area into three new countries in 1965: Singapore, the Malaysian federation in the north, and Indonesia in the south.

Some level of unity returned in the Riau region for the first time after 150 years with the creation of the Sijori Growth Triangle in 1989. But while bringing back some economical wealth to Riau, the Sijori Growth Triangle somewhat further broke the cultural unity within the islands. With Batam island receiving most of the industrial investments and dramatically developing into a regional industrial center, it attracted hundreds of thousands of non-Malay Indonesian migrants, changing forever the demographic balance in the archipelago.

Today the name of Riau merely refers to this administrative region of Indonesia, a free trade zone heavily supported by Indonesian, Singaporean and international investments.

Lampung

Lampung is a province of Indonesia, located on the southern tip of the island of Sumatra. It borders the provinces of Bengkulu and South Sumatra. Lampung is the original home of the "Lampung" tribe, who speak a distinct language from other people in Sumatra and have their own alphabet.

The province has a population of 6,654,354 (As of 2000[update] census). A large portion of the current population of Lampung is descended from migrants from Java, Madura, and Bali. These migrants came both spontaneously, in search of more land than was available on the more densely populated islands, as well as part of the government's transmigration program, for which Lampung was one of the earliest and most important transmigration destinations.

Lampung is commonly known for its geographical instability in terms of earthquakes and volcanoes. On May 10 2005, a strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the richter scale struck the province. The historical volcano blast of Krakatau occurred in 1883, which resulted in disastrous consequences.

Lampung is divided into 9 regencies:

West Lampung
South Lampung
Central Lampung
East Lampung
North Lampung
Way Kanan
Tanggamus
Tulang Bawang
Pesawaran
and 2 cities: Bandar Lampung and Metro

Jambi

Jambi province is located on the east coast of Central Sumatra faces to Malaka Straits sharing borders with four other provinces in Sumatra and has long a melting pot for different ethnic groups. The earliest inhabitants were the Kubus, who were among the first wave of Malays to migrate to Sumatra. The ancient kingdom of Melayu developed and grew in Jambi and maintained relations with the mighty kingdoms of Sriwijaya, Majapahit and Singasari, but was eventually attacked and annexed by Sriwijaya in the middle of the 17th century.


Encompassing an area of 53,435 sq km, almost 60% of which is forest, the province is home to a large variety of fauna and floraand and an exhilarating place for active and adventurous visitors.

Before what is now Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch East India Company, Jambi was the site of a well-established, powerful Srivijayan kingdom[citation needed] that engaged in trade throughout the Strait of Malacca and beyond. It succeeded Palembang to the south, which was a frequent military and economic rival, as the later capital of the ancient kingdom. The move to Jambi was partly induced by the historic 1025 raid by pirates from the Chola region of southern India that destroyed much of Palembang.

In the early decades of the Dutch presence in the region, when the future colonizers were just one of several groups of traders competing with the British, Chinese, Arabs, and Malays, the Jambi sultanate profitably traded pepper with the Dutch. This relationship declined by about 1770, and the sultanate had little contact with the Dutch for about sixty years.

In 1833, minor conflicts with the Dutch, who were well established in Palembang, meant the Dutch increasingly felt the need to control the actions of Jambi. They coerced Sultan Facharudin to agree to greater Dutch presence in the region and control over trade, although the sultanate remained nominally independent. In 1858 the Dutch, apparently concerned over the risk of competition for control from other foreign powers, invaded Jambi with a force from Batavia. They met little resistance, and Sultan Taha fled to the upriver, inland regions of Jambi.

The Dutch installed a puppet ruler, Nazarudin, in the lower region, which included the capital city. For the next forty years Taha maintained the upriver kingdom, and slowly reextended his influence over the lower regions through political agreements and marriage connections. In 1904, however, the Dutch were stronger and, as a part of a larger campaign to consolidate control over the entire archipelago, soldiers finally managed to capture and kill Taha, and in 1906, the entire area was brought under direct colonial management.

Bengkulu

Bengkulu province is located in the western of Bukit Barisan mountain spreading from the border of West Sumatera and Lampung provinces.

Administratively it is divided into 8 regencies ;

South Bengkulu
Rejang Lebong
North Bengkulu
Kaur,
Seluma
Muko-Muko
Lebong
Kaphyang regencies

and one city ; Bengkulu which also becomes the capital city of the province.

The province has some developed commodities from agriculture, fishery and forestry sestors. They are palmoil, rattan, plywood, furniture, crumb rubber, frozen shrimp, and canned fish. It also produces various types of vegetables, fruits and crops. They are among others are tomato, soybean, mungbean, long bean, peanut, bean, carrot, durians, mango, papaya and banana.
While the plantation can produce commodities such as palm oil, rubber and cacao which can be found in North and South Bengkulu. While coffe can be found in Rejang Lebong regency. Other commodities are pepper, clove, tea, kapok and sugar tree can be found in almost all ares of the province.

The province also produces fishery sector such as fresh water fish, embrakment, and sea fish which until have not been cultivated maximally and waited to be developed further especially benefitting from Exclusive Economics Zone.

In the tourism sector the province has various tourist objects starting from its natural, cultural and historical tourism. Some of natural tourist objects are Kaba Hill in Curup, Belerang Semeleko hill in South Lebong, Raflesia Arnoldi flower in Taba Penanjung, Paar Gunung natural reserve in Kepahyang, and Lubuk natural reserve in Pino. And Beach tourist objects are Panjang Nala beach, white sand beach in Baai island in Selebar, lake in Selebar, and Tes lake in South Lebong. While cultural tourist objects are Tabot, Enggano dance, Vesurak fabric craft and the historical tourist objects are the house of Bung Karno, Malborough fortress, and Thomas Par monument in Segara gulf.

As an investment destination the province has good and sufficient facilities and infrastructures. Among others are Fatmawati and Muko Muko airports in Bengkulu, and Linai and Malakoni Enggano ports.

Bangka & Belitung Island

Bangka-Belitung is one of Indonesia provinces. It includes two large islands, Bangka and Belitung, and several smaller ones, which lie east of Sumatra, northeast of South Sumatra province. Bangka Belitung (BABEL) Islands province is the 31st Province in Indonesia, one of the newest provinces. Bangka Belitung get it’s approved as a new province in 2001 separated with south Sumatra. That acknowledgement is because of the people struggle. The region that was a great tin mines, now already to reach the new phase in its life. It provisioned with the beautiful of nature, and the uniquely of culture, Bangka Belitung step to the better future.

Supported by the “Serumpun Sabalai” spirit and abundant natural resources, it has been expecting a greater role to speed up the island region's development, namely Bangka regency, Belitung regency and Pangkal Pinang city through cooperation development. That potency of culture and tourism is also supported by its strategic location that can connect with other interesting area. The sea transportation that become the most accessibility in Bangka Belitung Island, is support its economics activities among the Islands.
The richness of Bangka Belitung Island of nature and tin mines until its maritime rich, make Bangka Belitung a magnet for the new comers to get a better life. A Balinese countryside is found in this Island named Giri Jati village, complete with all of Bali culture that remembering us to Bali Island. Beside Bali tribe, we also can found Bugis tribe that adds the various cultures in Bangka Balitung Island. This Bugis tribe can be found in the fishermen village at Tanjung Binga. Otherwise, the original tribe, Melayu culture has strong influence in the traditional ceremony and religious ceremony. One of the ceremonies is Rebo Kasan Ceremony that done by Air Anyer village people. It is believed that one day of a year, the God give His 320,000 angels in the world. The people must together to pray. This ceremony was held in the beach, but now on, it held in the mosque then continued to the beach. Formerly, this ceremony become the people party with its star party is ‘Dambus’ art.

Geographically
Bangka Belitung province is located between 104°50' - 109°30' East Longitude and 0°50' - 4°10' South Latitude, with its total area of 81,724.54 km.

Administrativelly
Administrativelly, Bangka Belitung comprises of 2 regencies and 1 city, namely Bangka regency, Belitung regency and Pangkal Pinang City, of which, the biggest regency's area is Bangka regency with 11,534.14 km area, and the smallest is Pangkal Pinang City, with 89.40 km area.

Climate
There are two seasons that are suitable for sailing to these islands: February-March and October-November, when the wind and the waves are low. The heaviest rainfall is around 2,500 mm per annum with its average temperature between 25°C - 26°C.

Population
In 2001, Babel's population was 920,729 consisted of 462,640 men and 458,089 women. The biggest population among the regencies was Bangka regency, 583,841 people, while the most density population was Pangkalpinang City, with its 1,396 people/km. In 2001, the growth of population reached 1.49 % per annum averagely. Labor. In 2000, its labor force recorded as many as 100,825 people.

The area of Bangka Belitung Archipelago Province, particularly Bangka Island, by turn became the conquered area of Sriwijaya Kingdom and Majapahit Kingdom. After the Dutch capitulation, it became the colony of England as The Duke of Island. On May 28, 1812 British Kingdom officially ended its authority based on London Convention August 13, 1824. The authority on Bangka Belitung then was transferred from MH. Court (Britain) to K. Hyces (Dutch) in Mentok on December 10, 1816.

In 1849 – 1851, Depati Amir War raised as the opposition to Dutch colonization, led by the regent Depati Barin and his son Depati Amir. However, Depati Barin must suffer great lost and be isolated to Air Mata village in West Nusa Tenggara.

Based on stbld. 565, December 2, 1933, Residential Bangka Belitung Onderhoregenhenden was formed on March 11, 1933, led by a Bangka Belitung resident consisted of 6 Onderafdehify led by the assistants of resident. There were 5 Onderafdehify in Bangka Island, which become 5 Karesidenan (residency), while 1 was in Belitung Island.

During Japan Colonization period, Bangka Belitung Residency was put under the authority of Military Government of Japan and called as Bangka Beliton Ginseibu.

After the Independence of Republic Indonesia was proclaimed, Bangka Council was formed by Dutch Government on December 10 1946 (based on stbl. 1946 no. 38), which was first led by Musarif Datuk Bandaharo Leo, inaugurated by Dutch Government on November 11, 1947. The council was acknowledged as high institution on autonomous government in Bangka Belitung. On January 23, 1948 (stbl. 1948 no. 123), Bangka Council, Belitung Council and Riau Council were united into Bangka Belitung and Riau Federation (FABERI) as the part of Federal Republic of Indonesia (RIS).

Based on the decree of the President of RIS no 141, year 1950, Bangka Belitung became the part of Unitary Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) until Act no 22 year 1948 was issued. On April 22, 1950, Bangka Belitung was under the administration of South Sumatra Governor Dr. Mohd. Isa, witnessed by Prime Minister DR. Hakim R. Soemardja, and Bana Belitung Council. As the Resident of Bangka Belitung in Pangkalpinang, R Soemardja was assigned.

Based on Temporary Constitution 1950, Act no 22 year 1948, and Emergency Act no 4 of November 16, 1956) Bangka Belitung Residency was under the administration of South Sumatra Province as Bangka Regency and Pangkalpinang Small Borough.

Based on Act no 1 year 1957, Pangkalpinang became Kota Praja (Municipality). On May 13, 1971, President Soeharto officially endorsed Sungailiat as the capital of Bangka Regency. In 2000, based on Act no 27 year 2000, The Province of Bangka Belitung Archipelago was formed and it consisted of Pangkalpinang Municipality, Bangka Regency and Belitung Regency. Then, since January 27, 2003, 4 new regencies, West Bangka Regency, Central Bangka Regency, South Bangka Regency and East Belitung Regency, have been formed as the splits of the previous two regencies, adding the previous 2 regencies and 1 municipality.

Aceh

Aceh is a special territory (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Its current official name is Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam; past spellings of its name include Acheh, Atjeh and Achin.

Aceh was the closest point of land to the epicenter of the massive 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which triggered Tsunamis that devastated much of the western coast of the region, including the capital city of Banda Aceh. Over 170,000 persons were listed as dead or missing, with a further 500,000 plus being made homeless.

Aceh region has a strategic position as the gate of trading and cultural traffic, which has been connecting East and West since the past centuries. It is known as a transit place of Chinese, European, Indian and Arab merchants. This relationship made Aceh region as the first entrance of culture and religion into the Southeast-Asian archipelago.

Aceh is known for its political independence and fierce resistance to control by outsiders, including the former Dutch colonists and, until recently, the central government of Indonesia.

Aceh has substantial natural resources, including coal, oil and gas. Aceh's main income earners are petroleum and natural gas, fertilizer, estate produce and agriculture.

Weh Island

The Weh Island lies at the western end of Sumatra, just ten sea miles off the Aceh mainland, with Breuh and Nasi not far away. Of the three, We Island is the most important.

The island's capital, Sabang, has a popula¬tion of more than 25,000 people and occupies about 200 square kilometers of land. Sabang has a small airport called Cot Bak U / Malikulsaleh, which links the town with Banda Aceh's Blang Bin¬tang Airport. Ferry boats regularly ply the nar¬row strait between the port and Uleelheue, on the mainland. A 32-kilometer long road skirts the shoreline, linking 118 villages in two districts with the island's capital.

Hills overlook beautiful Sabang Bay. There are a number of scenic beaches in the vicinity, such as pantai Kasiah and Anoe Ham. About 6.4 kilometers out at sea is the Rubiah island Marine Port a wonderful submarine world of colorful corals and fishes. Aneuk Laot Lake is a scenic lake in the hills from which Sabang derives its clean water supply. '

Pulau Breuh, can be reached by boat from We island. Sumur Tira and the Air Putih baths are the most popular tourist sites on the island.

North Aceh

On the road from Banda Aceh to Medan, near the border at Pidie, is a resort named Batte-iliek, which is highly popular among vacationers, many of whom come to bathe.

About 18 kilometers east of Lhokseumawe are the remains of the old Islamic kingdom of Samudera Pasai, the first Islamic state in In¬donesia. Here lies the grave of Malikulsaleh, the kingdom's first ruler. Among the graves of successive rulers is that of Queen Nahrisyah. Her tombstone is engraved with Arabic calligraphy.

Ujung Blang, near Lhokseumawe is a very popular resort and is much visited during holidays. Further south, towards Takengon, 22 kilometers away from Bireun, is Kreung SIm¬po pool, a riverside resort in natural surroun¬dings, filled with cool water coming from the North Aceh hinterland. Cot Panglima is a mountain resort on the Bireun-Takengon road. Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, the air here is cool and crisp. The night temperature average 16° and the daytime temperature 23° Celsius.

The Lhokseumawe Industrial Zone is located near the town Lhokseumawe and is . among the biggest in Indonesia. Here are located Indonesia's biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, the Asean and the Iskandar Muda urea fertilizer industries. Not far away is the scenicBlang Kolam waterfall.

Central Aceh

Central Aceh is a regency in the Specfal Region of Aceh. It is home to the Gayo ethnic population, one of the ethnic groups of Aceh which prefer to live in the central highlands of the Bukit Barisan mountain range, deep in the hinterland.
On the average, the Central Aceh regency is blessed with a cool highland climate, and the soil is fertile. Central Aceh is one of Sumatra's foremost producers of high quality coffee.

The Gayo people who inhabit this land have their own language and forms of artistic ex¬pression. Islam is believed to have made its en¬try into this region somewhere in the 12th cen¬tury, and even today, the Gayo are known to be devout Moslems, as is the majority of the population of Aceh.

Takengon is a town on the shore of scenic

Lake Laut Tawar(the "fresh water sea"). The town is 319 kilometers away from Banda Aceh over Bireuen. Before World War II, horses were the only means to reach Takengon, and even at present they are stilI the major means of transportation among some of the vilIagers in the area. Being located at an altitude of about 1,200 meters high above sea level, the air around Takengon is cool - around 20° Celsius. The trip to Bireuen is pleasant. Even in the middle of the day, cool breezes sweep away the stuffy air inside the car while traveling the 218-kilometer distance from Ban¬da Aceh. It takes four hours to navigate the 101 kilometers from Bireuen to Takengon, due to the many curves and the narrow path road.

During the ikon depik season, Lake Laut Tawar is normally blanketed by fog and the air gets cooler. When rain begins to fall, the little fishes surface at the lakeside and the fishing begins, which the Gayo do by using either nets or the more traditional scoops. Depik do not grow bigger than a child's little finger. After they are caught, the little fishes are laid out in the sun to dry, then fried for consumption. Small as they are, they are an important source of animal protein for the Gayo people.

Lake Laut Tawar is about 60 square kilometers large, located at a height of about 1,225 meters above sea level, and is very scenic. Motorboats can be hired for excursions. A number of caves dot the lake's surroundings and the steep cliffs are most suitable for scaling.

Takengon can be reached in about two and a half hours from Lhokseumawe, on the east coast. The distance between the two towns is 150 kilometers. Cheap public buses are available. During World War II, the Japanese built an airstrip near Takengon for their defense purposes. After the war, however, it fell into disuse and the people gratefully con¬verted it into a coffee garden.

Didong is a traditional dance that is very popular among the Gayo people. It is presumed to have evolved since before the arrival of Islam.

Lukup is a village 20 kilometers from Takengon in which the original traditions of the Gayo pe

Nineteen kilometers before Takengon are the hot water springs and pools of Simpang Halek, and 50 kilometers to the south of Takengon is the Linge Isaq Hunting Park, a 80,000 hectare tract of wild inhabited by various species of wildlife, especially wild boar and deer. Villagers in the park's surroundings often organize traditional horse races.

East Aceh

The eastern parts of Aceh consist mainly of fertile lowlands, with a number of towns along the coast flourishing, due mainly to the presence of good highways which connect this part of the province with neighboring North Sumatra. A railroad system built by the Dutch colonial government in the late 19th century to link towns along the east coast, connects Banda Aceh with Medan and other towns and cities in North Sumatra. Although old, the railroad is still useful, mainly for the transpor¬tation of goods.

Between Lhokseumawe and Langsa is scenic Kuala Heukahbeach, and not far away, near the mouth of the Krueng Peureula river, is the former site of the ancient kingdom of Peureula, or Perlak, which bloomed around the lith century.
Among the relics of that distant past are the ,NuruI Ala Graveyard, the holy grave of Kutu Geudang, Krueng Hill, and Kuala' Langsa.

Southeast Aceh

Going from Takengon to the southeast over a distance of 165 kilometers past the villages Isese and Rikit Gaib, the traveler arrives at Slang Kejeren. This is the upstream region of the Alas River, inside the Gunung Leuser Na donal Park, the largest in Indonesia.

The wealth of the park's flora and fauna make it a frequent site for research on primates, birds, insects and for environmental studies. Basic lodging facilities are available at the Ketambe post. Another way to reach this na¬tional park is through Kutacane, the capital of the Southeast Aceh regency.
Lawe Gurab Park is 9,200 hectares large and is only 35 kilometers from Kutacane. About 40 kilometers from Kutacane-Blang Ke¬jeren is a hot water spring set in impressively scenic surroundings.

Along the road between Kutacane and Blang Kejeren, the Alas Rivercuts through the Gunung Leuser National Park as it rushes downstream. The area is especially popular among the young and adventurous. The sharp bends and the many rapids make the river in this area highly challenging to white-water rafters.

South of Kutacane is the border between the provinces Aceh and North Sumatr:l. This area is known as the Karo region. Here, Chris¬tian churches begin to make their appearance, and there are quite a number of them.

West & South Aceh

Traveling over land from West to South Aceh means skirting the province's southwestern coastline. The distance from Ban¬da Aceh over Meulaboh to Tapak Tuan is ap¬proximately 616 kilometers.

The journey from the provincial capital to Meulaboh, spanning a length of 245 kilometers, can be made by public bus. The route, however, is not quite as easy to negotiate as it may seem. There are many twists and turns along this stretch, and the road goes up and down steep hills. The passage is just wide enough to let one small bus at a time to pass, and just making way for another passing vehicle wi~h t~e ravine gaping at the side of the road is quite a frightening experience.

Five rivers must be crossed before one reaches Meulaboh, four of those crossings ¬those at Lam Beuso, Karongan, Arongan and Suak Timah -located near villages. Stalls offering refreshments and people vending fruits made good use of the situation by touting their wares to travelers.

In Meulaboh stands a monument-dedicated to the hero Teuku Umar who, according to in¬scription, died as a martyr on the lIth of February 1899. The remarkable thing about the monument is that it takes the form of a hat. According to local lore, Teuku Umar was shot by Dutch troops and his body was taken into the forest to be buried. Unknown by the soldiers, the resistance hero's hat fell on the ground, where people later found it. The monument presumably stands at the exact spot where that incident happened.

Further along the road is the tomb of Meurenbom Daya.. The cliffs here at the Geureutee Sea' are steep, but the view is magnificent. It is another 200 kilometers from Meulaboh to Tapaktuan, capital of the regen¬cy of South Aceh. The roads here are smooth and well-paved, and in general in a much bet¬ter state of repair that those on the Banda Aceh-Meulaboh stretch.

Tapaktuan is smaller than Meulaboh, but in terms of attractiveness it compares well with any other dty in Aceh. The modest hotel looks out on the sea and the hills beyond.

Closer to the border of the Sawang district in the South Aceh regency, there are quite a number of clean beaches with magnificent views. Visitors, however, are advised to heed the local norms of behavior. Many things are still considered taboo. Bathing in the sea, for example, is frowned upon, especially when it is done by men and women together. .

Further south along the coast is the Krueng Kluet river mouth, and a small town named Kandang. Still further to the south, about six kilometers away from Bukit Hitam ("Black Hill"), there are two waterfalls - Tuwi Lbok lee Dingin and Tingkat Tujub Bekas Tapaktuan (the "seventiered waterfall of Tapak¬tuan"). The latter is a popular holiday spot, with a natural pool. A narrow footpath leads to the top of the waterfall.

Singkil, a district about 950 square kilometers large, is inhabited by 9,000 people who live in 17 villilges scattered across the area. People going to the town have to take rafts at five different places. Ninety percent of the population are fishermen. The others are either farmers, traders or civil servants.

Simeuleu Island

The island Simeuleu on the rim of the Indian Ocean, 120 kilometers from the mainland coast at Tapaktuan and 145 kilometers from Meulaboh, is part of the Special Region of Aceh.

The capital of the island district is Sinabang, which can be reached by either aircraft or boat. The airstrip is about ten kilometers away from town, with small buses running back and forth between the two points to serve the needs of arriving and departing passengers.

Although located rather far offshore, Sinabang is busier than most other towns on the mainland's west coast, including Tapaktuan. The islanders' biggest source of income is cloves, the source of the island's relative wealth. Reachable by air or sea. Much less care is given to other crops. Paddies are often neglected.
Because of their relative prosperity, extravagance is a rather common inclination among the people of Simeuleu. After the harvest time, it not unusual for people to charter airplanes to take them to the big cities on the Sumatran mainland, where they buy up all sorts of goods, stay in luxury hotels and en¬joy city life.

Simeuleu has quite a number of villages, among them Labuhanbajau, Lasingalu, Lamayang, Nosreuheu, Leukon, Laban, Sibokoh, Sibigo and Kualabaru. Almost all the coastal villages have their charm and worth visiting. The same can be said for the islets Tapah, Simeuleucot and Lekon.More to the south are the islands Banyak, Leusan, Habi, Tuangku, Bangkaru and Ujungbatu. The waters around these islands are rich fishing grounds.

The Banyak island group in the Indian Ocean is the most southern in the South Aceh Regency. It the south of the group is the island Nias, which belongs to the province of North Sumatra.

The lack of regular transportation makes it rather difficult to visit the Banyak islands. In addition, rough weather and gales often make crossings totally impossible. In normal weather it takes about 12 hours sailing to reach the islands from Tapaktuan. From Bakongan, it is a journey of about six hours, and from Singkil about three hours by fishing boat.

In the past, the Banyak group comprised exactly 100 islands. At present, 99 are left afterone was swept off the surface of the sea dur¬ing a raging storm. Seven of the islands are classified as big, while the remaining 82 are small. Of those latter, three are inhabited by 4,102 people.

Here, too, cloves are a major source of in¬come, besides copra and fofok, which is a kind of sea shell. The products are sold in Sibolga and Gunung Sitoli, in North Sumatra.

The people on Banyak Islands are Moslems. Their language is a mixture of a number of linguistic elements and is distinct from that of Aceh. Politeness and loyalty are common traits.

The island group boasts a number of virgin potential tourist spots, among them the Gosang Seande Beach Marine Gardens, and the islands Bengkulu, Rangit, Sikandang, Bagok, Biawak, Pagisih, Sarang Ala, Pinang and Banyak

The climate in these islands is generally hot, but often tempered by rain and wind during certain months of the year.

Sumatera

Sumatera is an island in western Indonesia, western most of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia (two larger islands, Borneo and New Guinea, are partially in Indonesia), and the sixth largest island in the world (approximately 470,000 km²).

Sumatra was known in ancient times by the Sanskrit names of Swarnadwīpa ("Island of Gold") and Swarnabhūmi ("Land of Gold"), due likely to the gold deposits of the island's highlands. Arab geographers referred to the island as Lamri (Lamuri, Lambri or Ramni) in the 10-13th centuries, in reference to a kingdom near modern day Banda Aceh which was the first landfall for traders. Late in the 14th century the name Sumatra became popular, in reference to the kingdom of Samudra which was a rising power. European writers in the 19th century found that the indigenous inhabitants did not have a name for the island.

Sumatra was known in ancient times by the Sanskrit names of Swarnadwīpa ("Island of Gold") and Swarnabhūmi ("Land of Gold"), due likely to the gold deposits of the island's highlands. Arab geographers referred to the island as Lamri (Lamuri, Lambri or Ramni) in the 10-13th centuries, in reference to a kingdom near modern day Banda Aceh which was the first landfall for traders. Late in the 14th century the name Sumatra became popular, in reference to the kingdom of Samudra which was a rising power. European writers in the 19th century found that the indigenous inhabitants did not have a name for the island.

The longest axis of the island runs approximately 1,790 km (1,100 miles) northwest - southeast, crossing the equator near the center. At its widest point the island spans 435 km (270 miles). The interior of the island is dominated by two geographical regions: the Barisan Mountains in the west and swampy plains in the east.

To the southeast is Java, separated by the Sunda Strait. To the north is the Malay Peninsula, separated by the Straits of Malacca. To the east is Borneo, across the Karimata Strait. West of the island is the Indian Ocean.

The backbone of the island is the Barisan mountains chain, with the active volcano Mount Kerinci's 3,805 m (12,467 ft) the highest point, located at about the midpoint of the range. The volcanic activity of this region endowed the region with fertile land and beautiful sceneries, for instance around the Lake Toba. It also contains deposits of coal and gold.

To the east, big rivers carry silt from the mountain, forming the vast lowland interspersed by swamps. Even if mostly unsuitable for farming, the area is currently of great economic importance for Indonesia. It produces oil from both above and below the soil—palm oil and petroleum.

Sumatra is the largest producer of Indonesian coffee. Small-holders grow Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) in the highlands, while Robusta (Coffea canephora) is found in the low lands. Arabica coffee from the regions of Gayo, Lintong and Sidikilang is typically processed using the Giling Basah (wet hulling) technique, which gives it a heavy body and low acidity.

Most of Sumatra used to be covered by tropical rainforest, but economic development coupled with corruption and illegal logging has severely threatened its existence. Conservation areas have not been spared from destruction, either.

The island is the world's 5th highest island, although only the third highest in the Indonesian archipelago.

The administrative regions of Sumatra (or the smaller islands nearby) are:

Aceh
Bangka-Belitung
Bengkulu
Jambi
Lampung
Riau
West Sumatra (Sumatera Barat)
South Sumatra (Sumatera Selatan)
North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara)